Banter Toys takes Hotel Transylvania Down Under

Popular animated film franchise, Hotel Transylvania has found a new Australian toy partner in Banter Toys.

In a deal secured by Merchantwise, the toy firm will distribute the master toy line created by Jazwares for the film and TV series across the territory. The line will hit shelves in 2018 in the lead up to the release of Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 3.

A wide range of books inspired by the film franchise and the TV series will also launch in the new year as part of the global deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Group, Papercutz Comics and Bendon Publishing.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Transylvania universe continues to expand with a new computer animated short, Puppy directed by Hotel Transylvania’s Genndy Tartakovsky and featuring some of the franchise’s favourite characters.

“We are thrilled to be working with Banter Toys on the distribution of master toy partner Jazwares’ toy line in Australia,” said Merchantwise managing director, Alan Schauder.

“With the television series performing well locally on Disney Channel and the audience numbers expected to continue to increase, along with Puppy currently in cinemas and the upcoming release of Hotel Transylvania 3, anticipation is already building for this toy range which will feature many of the franchise’s most loved characters.

“Together with publishing releases from global partners Simon & Schuster Children’s Group, Papercutz Comics and Bendon Publishing, we look forward to the continued success of the Hotel Transylvania franchise in Australia.”

Banter Toys chief executive officer, Kris Thompson, added: “Banter Toys is very excited to be working with Sony Pictures Aniation and Merchantwise on distributing the Jazwares toy range for Hotel Transylvania 3 and Hotel Transylvania: The Series.

“The Hotel Transylvania franchise is quirky and fun viewing and the toys will certainly complement both.”

Jazwares joins a roster of new partners for the property, including Simon & Schuster Children’s Group, Papercutz Comics and Bendon Publishing who will create a new range of books inspired by the film and TV series.

The television series renewal comes after the successful opening of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, a film that set a new record for the franchise when it took over $476 million at the global box office. The total made it Sony Pictures’ biggest animated film of all time.